Why hire a car in the United Kingdom?
Large, historical, and diverse, is it any wonder that the United Kingdom is one of the most visited countries on the planet? Landmark-rich cities like London, Edinburgh, and Liverpool account for a large number of those visitors, but the country is also rich in scenic nature and bucolic countryside. Hiring a car is arguably the best way to see everything that the United Kingdom has to offer.
One-way Car Hire in the United Kingdom
Here are the most popular one-way car hire options for pickup in the United Kingdom and drop off in another country:
Top ways to enter United Kingdom
Top cities and places to visit
Most popular hire car
The most hired car in the United Kingdom is the Hyundai i30, although many travellers also go for the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Jetta. The most popular car types are compact, economy, and intermediate.
Driving licence requirements
Crossing borders
The United Kingdom only has a land border with the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland. As of June 2021, both countries are part of the Common Travel Area, and border control is not enforced. Citizens of the member states of the European Economic Area, as well as many other western countries, can enter both countries without a visa. Citizens of some other countries may be permitted to visit the United Kingdom but might need a separate visa to visit the Republic of Ireland or vice versa. We advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out whether you need a visa to visit either the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom. Citizens of China and India are an exception and can use their short-term British visa to also visit the Republic of Ireland. Some car hire providers allow you to take the car between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (it’s common to travel between Belfast and Dublin with a hired car). You can find those providers that allow one-way deals by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search. Alternatively, check the car hire conditions to see which suppliers allow crossing the border (but returning to Northern Ireland afterwards) Similarly, some companies permit car trips between continental Europe and the United Kingdom via the Eurotunnel (e.g., from Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam to London). Keep in mind, though, that the United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union and has never been a part of the Schengen Agreement. This can be especially relevant for foreign visitors of the European Union as, depending on their citizenship, many of them will need a separate visa to visit the United Kingdom. Be sure to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to learn more about the entry requirements for your nationality.
Top driving routes
Car hire prices
- Station wagons - starting at £21 per day
- Large cars - starting at £20 per day
- Medium cars - starting at £18 per day
- People Carriers - starting at £45 per day
- Premium cars - starting at £39 per day
- Small cars - starting at £15 per day
- SUVs - starting at £18 per day
How can I save money on my hire car?
There are several good methods to find a cheaper car for hire: